Commodes and Chests of Drawers
21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
20th Century Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Serpentine
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Satinwood
Late 18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century British George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Yew
18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Late 17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
18th Century Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Swedish Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
1930s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
20th Century Portuguese Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
19th Century Danish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1730s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
1780s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
19th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
19th Century George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Burl
18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Walnut, Ebony, Satinwood
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1780s German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1930s British Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1830s George IV Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1770s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ironstone, Hardwood
18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry
Early 1900s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
1890s Spanish Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
1940s American Georgian Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
18th Century German Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1770s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1780s British Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
19th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
1830s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
18th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century Baroque Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
18th Century English George II Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Early 1800s English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Other
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique and Vintage Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Is it a commode or a chest of drawers?
Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote a piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility.
As time passed, French and British furniture makers led the way in the production of chests of drawers, and features like the integration of bronze and ornamental pulls became commonplace. Antique French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity and double chests — tallboys and highboys, which were essentially one chest on top of another — followed.
So, what makes a chest of drawers different from a common dresser? Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do. Some chests of drawers have one column of four to six long drawers or three long drawers in their bottom section that are topped by a cluster of small side-by-side drawers on the top. To further complicate things, we sometimes refer to particularly short chests of drawers as nightstands.
Even though chests of drawers are commonly thought of as bedroom furniture to store clothing, these are adaptable pieces. A chest of drawers can house important documents — think of your walnut Art Deco commode as an upgrade to your filing cabinet. Nestle your chest near your home’s front door to store coats and other outerwear, while the top can be a place to drop your handbag. Add some flair to your kitchen, where this lovable case piece can hold pots, pans and even cookbooks.
When shopping for the right chest of drawers for your home, there are a few key things to consider: What will you be storing in it? How big a chest will you need? Speaking of size, don’t dream too big. If your space is on the smaller side, a more streamlined vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers, perhaps one designed by Paul McCobb or T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, may best suit your needs.
At 1stDibs, we make it easy to add style and storage to your home. Browse our collection of antique and vintage commodes and chests of drawers today.